Avoid hotel and vacation rental fraud during eclipse: 3 tips

A run on accommodations during the August eclipse could leave consumers open to fraud or price-gouging. Here's how to avoid problems.

Double-check your reservation

The Oregon Department of Justice warned last month that some visitors who booked hotel rooms well in advance reported their reservation had been canceled, or the hotel had doubled or tripled the price.

The department urges people who have booked hotel rooms to call and confirm their reservations. Those who have trouble with reservations can call the agency's consumer hotline at 877-877-9392 or file a complaint online at justice.oregon.gov/complaints.

Watch for scammers

Vacation rental websites like Airbnb and HomeAway usually facilitate payment between guest and host, and their refund policies guarantee against fraudulent or misrepresented listings. But scammers might seek payment by wire transfer, check or other online payment system. Know that if you go outside the system, you might not be covered.

Communicate with the owner

Ask questions to make sure there aren't any surprises when you arrive. Both Airbnb and HomeAway say many of their eclipse hosts are new to the respective platforms and might not be used to acting as innkeeper. And pop-up campsite operators might never have held a similar event before.